Challenges and opportunities in building environmental awareness in the Keduang Watershed Region in Indonesia

Abstract

Watersheds are ecosystems which are crucial for water quality, biodiversity, and overall environmental sustainability. Increasing pressure from human activities such as deforestation, water pollution, and changes in land use has begun to threaten the sustainability of watersheds throughout the world. This research discusses the challenges and opportunities in building environmental awareness in a watershed region. A qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach is used to understand the experiences, attitudes, and actions of the watershed community in relation to environmental issues. The research results show the challenges faced include a lack of understanding about the watershed ecosystem, insufficient access to information technology, economic problems, and poor local leadership to support environmental preservation. An integrated environmental education program, together with community participation and development of technological innovation may offer an effective solution. Strong environmental awareness in watershed regions not only supports environmental preservation but also creates sustainable economic opportunities, strengthens environmental resilience, and improves the life quality of the community. Therefore, building environmental awareness in watershed regions is not only the job of local communities but also the shared responsibility of various stakeholders, which is needed to achieve sustainability of the river ecosystem and the broader environment.